- Chapter Start -

"Zunshang, the antidote for Li-menzhu is ready," the Drug Demon says with a bow.

"Good," Di FeiSheng says. "Bring it here."

Instead, the Drug Demon fidgets. Di FeiSheng looks at Guan HeMeng who shakes his head and then at Fang DuoBing who's frowning in puzzlement at both of them. He turns back to the Drug Demon with narrowed eyes.

The Drug Demon bows lower, still holding onto his tray which is shaking very slightly. When Fang DuoBing takes it from him and sets it on the table, the Drug Demon starts wringing his hands instead.

"Zunshang, as you know, the Yin and Yang Leaves of the Styx Flower must be taken together. The Yin Leaves provide an explosion of energy that will extract the Bicha poison while the Yang Leaves protect the body from its aggressive effect." The words spill out of him in a rush. "While I am confident that this antidote will work… I cannot guarantee he will survive the process."

Di FeiSheng leaps to his feet only to sway when a wave of vertigo hits him.

"A-Fei, are you alright?" A hand grips his arm tightly.

"I'm fine." Di FeiSheng shakes off Fang DuoBing's hold and glares at the Drug Demon. "Explain."

"Allow me, Di-mengzhu." Guan HeMeng sets his tray on the table, looking both tired and stressed. "If Li LianHua is conscious and still has his Yangzhouman, he can circulate it to protect his body and organs while the antidote does its job. Given that he no longer has that inner power nor is even awake, and coupled with his extremely weakened state-"

"He will not die!" Di FeiSheng snarls, voice harsh with fear. "My Beifong Baiyang will protect him."

"Agreed which is why Yao Mo and I think there's still a one in ten chance he can pull through."

Di FeiSheng stills.

One in ten.

He recalls telling Li LianHua he had a one in ten chance of recovering after Jiao LiQiao severed his tendons, but he would've died if Li LianHua hadn't helped him with Yangzhouman and the mantra to heal himself.

"I have some of his Yangzhouman," he states. "I will circulate it through his body while the antidote does its job."

"Di-mengzhu, it could take up to twelve hours to completely remove the Bicha poison," Guan HeMeng says. "I doubt you have enough Yangzhouman to last that long even if you are well rested, which I know you are not."

"I'll help. I have Yangzhouman too!" Fang DuoBing states, not to be outdone.

"Fang-gongzi, you exerted yourself repairing the Styx Flower earlier," the Drug Demon says. "Even with your assistance, I fear-"

"Then count us in." Qiao WanMian walks in with Yun BiQiu. "XiangYi gave me some of his Yangzhouman when he cured me of Jiao LiQiao's Ice Cicada."

"He gave me the rest of it when he cured me of Snow Grandpa's Xueronghua poison," Yun BiQiu adds.

Di FeiSheng raises an eyebrow at the still sceptical looking Drug Demon.

"Very well, zunshang," the latter says. "Please bear in mind that-", a knock on the open door interrupts him, "will someone shut that door!"

Zhan YunFei enters and glares at him before turning to Fang DuoBing.

"Fang DuoBing, your guests are here."

Di FeiSheng opens his mouth to protest the interruption only to close it again when he sees who they are.

"Qin-qianbei, heshang." Fang DuoBing clasps his sword with both hands and bows to them. "Thank you for coming here so quickly."

"It's thanks to He-tangzhu's amazing Cloud Chasing Carriage," Bhante Wuliau replies. "Is that…?"

Madam Qin is already heading towards the bed with determined steps.

"Qin-qianbei." Di FeiSheng bows politely before stepping aside.

Madam Qin gives him a piercing look before sitting down on the bed, her eyes on Li LianHua's face as she checks his pulse. When she next looks up, her face is white.

"Where's the antidote? We must give it to him. Now."

"Just a minute." Looking rather put out, the Drug Demon takes a step forward. "You are…?"

"The widow of Qin Mushan of Yunyin Mountain, Li XiangYi's shifu," Madam Qin states, her eyes steely.

"Ah! Please forgive my ignorance, Qin-qianbei." The Drug Demon bows. "The antidote is ready, but Li-menzhu has no more Yangzhouman to protect himself from its strong side effects."

"Is that your only concern?"

"We have another," Guan HeMeng says. "Qin-qianbei, I am Guan HeMeng. Yao Mo and I created the antidote together. We estimate it could take up to twelve hours for the antidote to run its course."

"The Divine Healer with Needles. You are younger than I anticipated." Madam Qin gives him an appraising look before nodding. "It's fine. My inner power is very similar to Yangzhouman and I have been cultivating it for longer than XiangYi has been alive."

She gives a sudden, fierce smile.

"I am fully capable of supporting him through this for however long it takes."

"Qin-qianbei," Yun BiQiu greets. "I am Yun BiQiu of Baichuan Academy. Li-menzhu once saved my life so please allow me to help."

"Qin-qianbei, XiangYi also saved my life," Qiao WanMian quickly adds. "I want to help too."

"He's given all four of us some of his Yangzhouman," Fang DuoBing explains.

Madam Qin looks at them in turn, her expression going from surprise to sorrowful.

"Almsgiver Li XiangYi insists on disregarding his own health for that of others," Bhante Wuliao intones, shaking his head.

With a snort, Madam Qin turns back to the oblivious Li LianHua.

"Li XiangYi, instead of coming to me or your shifu to be healed, you've been helping others instead. Well! You're not in a position to refuse my help this time, are you?"

"He isn't, Qin-qianbei, but… " Fang DuoBing hesitates, eyes darting to Di FeiSheng who presses his lips together before giving a pained nod. "But he'd still refuse if you plan to give up your life-"

Madam Qin holds up one hand at once, looking displeased.

"Foolish children, all of you!" She scolds, making Fang DuoBing and Di FeiSheng blink in unison. "We didn't have the antidote then. I still have no qualms about exchanging my life for his, but it's not necessary this time."

"Ah, that's a relief!" Fang DuoBing's long sigh seems to come from the depths of his soul.

"I'm sure it is," Madam Qin says in a dry tone. "Now. As spacious as this room is, it's insufficient for our needs. We will need a much bigger space if you four intend to help."

- o –

The centre courtyard of Tianji Hall is now devoid of librarian, healers, apprentices and servants who have long since retired to bed. The huge mirror holder and stove have been dismantled and removed, but the oil lamps around the courtyard remain lit.

Minister Fang, Madam He and He XiaoFeng are still playing hosts to their guests at one of the tables in the courtyard except that everyone is nodding over their tea and snacks.

"Zunshang!" Wu Yan exclaims, jumping to his feet.

The others startle awake, heads jerking upright from propped fists and eyes blinking owlishly at the group of people entering the courtyard.

Bhante Wuliau and Madam Qin head the little procession, followed by Di FeiSheng with Li LianHua in his arms, Fang DuoBing, Guan HeMeng and the Drug Demon. Yun BiQiu, Qiao WanMian and Zhan YunFei bring up the rear.

"We have to administer the antidote now," Madam Qin states. "I need thick mats or cushions for everyone. This could take some time so we may as well be comfortable."

"Of course," Madam He says as He XiaoFeng hurries off. "Please let me know if there's anything else you require."

- o –

Di FeiSheng sits cross legged in the centre of the courtyard with Li LianHua in his lap and propped against his chest, head resting on his shoulder. Madam Qin sits facing them while Bhante Wuliau and Guan HeMeng flank Di FeiSheng, both ready with their respective sets of needles to help Li LianHua's body absorb the antidote.

Fang DuoBing, Yun BiQiu and Qiao WanMian sit to one side. Beside them is a small table laden with jars and cups of the antidote.

"Di FeiSheng, push your Yangzhouman into XiangYi and begin circulating it. Gently." Madam Qin then turns to the Drug Demon. "Give him the first cup."

Wu Yan passes a filled cup to the Drug Demon who places it at Li LianHua's lips. Li LianHua's nose wrinkles at once.

"Drink," Di FeiSheng tells him. "It's the antidote."

Li LianHua opens his mouth, but as soon as the Drug Demon pours in the antidote, he retches and spits it in his face. Then he starts coughing, dark liquid dribbling down his chin.

"Aiyaa, Li-menzhu," the Drug Demon grumbles, wiping his cheek with his sleeve.

"Get the next cup," Madam Qin tells him without taking her eyes off Li LianHua's face. She dabs his chin with the hem of her sleeve. "XiangYi, I know you are awake. Look at me."

Li LianHua's forehead wrinkles, eyelids fluttering before lifting to reveal hazy eyes.

"Sh-shiniang?"

"Yes. I travelled all the way here from Yunyin Mountain so be a good boy and listen to me."

"And I came all the way from Pudu Temple." Bhante Wuliau leans forward to peer at Li LianHua who blinks at him in surprise.

"Heshang."

"XiangYi, you need to take the antidote now," Madam Qin continues. "We will support and protect your body from its side effects."

"Shiniang, no," Li LianHua protests at once. "Don't give up-"

"I promised I wouldn't sacrifice my life and I won't. Don't worry, I will be here to nag you for many more years to come."

Li LianHua stares at her with wet eyes.

"You have so many people who love you and want you to live." She cups his cheek with a gentle hand. "I am one of them."

"So am I," Di FeiSheng says with his chin resting atop Li LianHua's head.

"A-Fei…"

"Me too," Fang DuoBing adds, smiling through tearful eyes.

"XiaoBao..."

"See? Now, let's start." Madam Qin gestures to the Drug Demon who places another cup at Li LianHua's lips with a resigned air. "No more spitting it out."

- o –

The next hour is filled with Li LianHua sputtering, struggling and vowing to kill both Guan HeMeng and the Drug Demon for making such a vile concoction. Still, he swallows cup after cup of the antidote and makes an awful face each time.

After another hour, Madam Qin takes note of Di FeiSheng's pale face and frowns.

"You look like you haven't slept at all. Just hold him and don't use your inner power anymore. I will use my Qi to protect him."

"I can manage," Di FeiSheng insists.

"At what cost, you foolish child?" Madam Qin says in exasperation, paying no mind to Fang DuoBing's snort, the Drug Demon's squawk, or WuYan and XunMing's open mouthed shock. "Right now, I can protect him better than you can."

Di FeiSheng nods, looking nonplussed that someone just called him a foolish child to his face. Bhante Wuliau chuckles and strokes his beard.

"Who knew that the Demon Leader of the Jinyuan Alliance would be so eager to save Li XiangYi's life? It looks like I have been trying to push the wrong two people together."

"Indeed, XiangYi has finally found someone as stubborn as he is." Madam Qin nods in satisfaction. "Fang DuoBing, your turn."

Fang DuoBing sits in front of Li LianHua and begins channelling his Yangzhouman into Li LianHua who's still complaining about the never ending cups of antidote and his distended belly.

After a couple of hours, Fang DuoBing's eyes flutter close and he starts swaying.

"That's enough. Let the next person take over," Madam Qin says.

An anxious He XiaoFeng hauls Fang DuoBing up by the arm and marches him over to Madam He who sits him down in front of a bowl of hot noodle soup. Meanwhile, Qiao WanMian takes his place and begins pushing her Yangzhouman into Li LianHua.

An hour later, it's Yun BiQiu's turn to do the same.

Throughout it all, Madam Qin keeps one hand on Li LianHua's shoulder and circulates the Yangzhouman inside his body to protect his meridians and spiritual pathways.

"The Bicha poison is finally being purged from his bone marrow and organs. I will now draw it out through his extremities." She points to Li LianHua's hands which are resting on his knees. The fingertips have turned a sickly black green hue.

"This next part will cause him some discomfort so support him well," she tells Di FeiSheng. Grabbing Li LianHua's shoulders with both hands, she calls up her immense inner power and pushes it into him.

- o –

Di FeiSheng can't help staring at Madam Qin – face taut like a mask and eyes almost glowing as she gathers her Qi. When the surge of power – so much like Yangzhouman and yet not – slams into Li LianHua, he screams, back arching away from Di FeiSheng's chest.

In seconds, dark greenish blood starts leaking from under his fingernails.

Another pulse of power and another cry of pain. More dark blood drips onto the mat as Li LianHua slumps back against Di FeiSheng with a groan.

"Shh, it's fine," Di FeiSheng tells him.

The minutes tick by and more dark liquid stains the mat. Li LianHua also begins coughing, face screwed up in pain as he spits out black blood mixed with green.

"Just hang in there, you'll be fine," Di FeiSheng says, grabbing a wet cloth from the hovering Wu Yan and wiping Li LianHua's mouth clean. He loses track of time as he keeps up the mantra of inane words, his entire being focused on the suffering man in his arms.

- o –

Just before noon, Madam Qin slows down the flow of her inner Qi and draws what's left back into her core.

"It's done," she says simply. "The Bicha poison has been completely purged."

"Thank you," Bhante Wuliau says, placing both hands together in gratitude.

After he and Guan HeMeng remove their needles from Li LianHua, they're helped to their feet by XunMing and Yun BiQiu.

Madam Qin senses Di FeiSheng's gaze on her. He's likely taking in the sweat on her face and the new lines of exhaustion carved on her brow. She hasn't used up all her inner power, but a great deal of it. She will need to rest for at least a month before making the journey home.

Then Di FeiSheng straightens up and hisses in pain. He hasn't realised he's been curled over Li LianHua for the past six hours which means his cramped muscles must be protesting.

"Li LianHua?" He sounds uncertain, almost fearful.

She can see why – while that dreadful grey tinge is gone, Li XiangYi still looks so pale. Fragile. His head is lolling on that broad shoulder, his slender body limp and unresponsive. Di FeiSheng slides his hand down his arm to check his pulse and then jostles him gently.

"Li LianHua? Li LianHua!"

"He's alright, A-Fei." Fang DuoBing crouches down beside them.

"He is? Then why isn't he awake?" There's a tell-tale hitch in Di FeiSheng's voice and his eyes are wet when he looks at Fang DuoBing. "Why does he look like…"

"He's alright," Fang DuoBing repeats, smiling through his own tears. "Do you know that when I first met Li LianHua, he told me that the dead may not really be dead?"

"He said that? And you believed him?"

"Hey!" Fang DuoBing frowns at him.

Madam Qin feels her eyes prickle. Her XiangYi is no longer alone in this world. It's easy to see that Fang DuoBing idolises him and would do anything for him. And so would Di FeiSheng, this fierce and supposedly cold and cruel man who's searched for the elusive Styx Flower to boost his own cultivation only to give it to XiangYi. And from what she heard, he even confronted the Emperor to get the flower back.

The softest intake of a breath – almost a sigh – catches her attention and she looks down to see Li LianHua stirring, eyelids fluttering.

Then she hears a deeper, shuddering breath and a choked off sound. She looks up to see Di FeiSheng weeping, silent tears falling from his eyes. Fang DuoBing is also crying with one hand on Di FeiSheng's shoulder and the other on Li LianHua's.

Ah, XiangYi, you are loved. Never forget that.

- Chapter End –

gongzi = young master / mister
heshang = head monk
mengzhu = alliance leader
menzhu = sect leader
qianbei = someone more senior but not elderly
shifu = martial teacher
shiniang = wife of martial teacher
tangzhu = hall master
zunshang = my lord